Finance team scoop top regional award

The trust’s financial management team have been recognised for the way they have helped tackle financial challenges over the last few months.

The team have helped the trust reduce its deficit this year by leading on a number of changes which have led to efficiencies.

A number of improvements have been made around how financial risk is managed and looking more towards the longer term.

The team’s work has been recognised with a large team of the year award at the Healthcare Financial Management Association regional awards at Ramside Hall in Durham recently.

Kevin Scollay, deputy director of finance, said: “The commitment and dedication the financial management team have shown towards helping the trust make significant improvements has been fantastic.

“Gone are the days when we look just 12 months ahead. Now, we are putting plans in place for the next five years to ensure we are making the savings needed so that we can go from strength to strength.

“The team are incredibly well respected by managers and clinicians alike and have truly taken on the challenge of moving from accountant to business partner over the last year. Without them, the trust would not have responded to the challenges as well as it has over the last 12 months.

“It is really pleasing that this has been recognised at an annual event involving the best and brightest financial minds in the region.

“And it’s not only the team who were shortlisted for honours – we had several other nominations. This is a clear sign of the fantastic work of our financial staff who are working tirelessly to ensure every effort is made to make the savings to go back into providing the very best care to our patients.